As we move towards more energy-efficient practices, understanding the efficiency of our HVAC systems becomes increasingly important. One of the key factors in determining this efficiency is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). However, starting from 2023, a new standard known as SEER2 has been introduced. Let’s dig in to better understand the difference between SEER and SEER2 and how they impact the efficiency and performance of HVAC systems.
What is SEER?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a measure of the cooling efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. The SEER rating of a unit is calculated by dividing the total cooling output during a typical cooling season by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the system is.
Before the SEER system was introduced, there was no standardized way to measure and compare the energy efficiency of different HVAC units. This made it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing a new air conditioner or heat pump.
The SEER rating system was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of its efforts to reduce energy consumption and promote energy efficiency. The DOE established minimum SEER ratings for air conditioners and heat pumps, and these standards have been periodically updated to reflect advances in technology and increases in energy efficiency.
What is SEER2?
SEER2 is an updated version of the original SEER rating system. It was introduced to better align AC efficiency ratings with real-world operating conditions. The main difference between SEER and SEER2 is the external static pressure requirement for testing. In SEER2, this pressure requirement is raised to resemble real-world conditions more closely. As a result, the SEER2 rating of an HVAC system will be slightly less than the old SEER rating due to this added factor.
SEER vs SEER2: The Comparison
While both SEER and SEER2 are measures of energy efficiency, there are some key differences between them:
- Calculation Method: SEER is calculated by dividing total cooling output by energy consumed during the same period. SEER2, on the other hand, includes both heating and cooling energy consumption throughout the year for overall performance calculation.
- External Static Pressure: SEER measurements are made at 0.5 inches of water column external pressure, while SEER2 measurements are made at 0.1 inches of water column external pressure. This lower external pressure measurement in SEER2 leads to a decrease in measured EER ratings and consequently, the calculated SEER2 rating is lower than the SEER rating.
- Efficiency: Numerically, the SEER2 rating is about 4.5% lower than the SEER rating. However, SEER2 gives us a more realistic efficiency measurement.
Implications of SEER2
Starting from January 1, 2023, all new HVAC units will list the SEER2 rating on their specs sheets. This change means that new air conditioners and heat pumps will be more efficient but also cost more due to increased manufacturing costs for higher efficiency systems.
Transitioning to SEER2 might take some time to get used to and seeing the lower numbers can be confusing. But, SEER2 ultimately provides a more accurate measure of HVAC system efficiency and will help us make better-informed decisions about our HVAC systems.